January 2005

A Word from the Chair

The department received some exciting news during fall semester! We have received a gift from the Littrell estate that will enable us to make additional improvements to Nunnelley Music Hall . With the gift we plan to further install new carpeting, ceilings and lighting where needed, and we also hope to install lockers and make other improvements that will enhance the experience of Georgetown College music students. The Littrell gift will enable the continuation of substantial improvements made to the music building during 2000 via a gift from the Shacklette estate.

We are thrilled to have our new music professor Kim Venhuizen Landrum with us this year. Prof. Landrum is a superb vocalist and teacher. As fate would have it, however, Kim’s military-musician husband is being transferred out of the area so, sadly, we are losing her after this academic year. The department is currently in the process of reviewing applications for the vacancy.

With the advent of Georgetown ’s new theatre major, the music department looks forward to being able to offer a minor in musical theatre in the near future. This year the department will also be working on revising the existing music minor curricula.

Our annual Faculty Showcase Recital is scheduled for Sunday, January 30 at 3:00 p.m. in Hill Chapel. We hope you may be able to attend.

Please be reminded that we are now publishing only a single newsletter each year, but you may stay in touch with current departmental happenings via our website, which is updated regularly: http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music

Dr. Sonny Burnette

Audition Dates

Music scholarship audition dates for Fall 2005 entry are right around the corner:

Monday, January 17, 2005, 10a-noon

Saturday, January 22, 2005, 9a-1p

Saturday, February 12, 2005, 9a-1p

Saturday, February 19, 2005, 9a-1p

Monday, February 21, 2005, 10a-noon

Individual arrangements may also be made if the above dates are inconvenient.

Music scholarships are potentially available to all GC students, regardless of major.

For more information, or to schedule an audition, please call Mrs. Betty Barkley in the Music Office at 502-863-8100.

To facilitate the awarding process, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. For information, please call our Office of Student Financial Planning at 1-800-788-9985.

… Your Assistance Please

If you are aware of a high school student who may wish to receive information about the music program at Georgetown College, we would appreciate your providing us with contact information. Thank you!

GC Ensembles

“Blow It & Bang It” News of the Band Scholars and our Georgetown College Tiger Bands

The 2004-2005 Performance Season of our Tiger Bands is off to a great start as we celebrate our “Back to Grrr… Basics” year as we further define and refine our all all-important “Five-Fold Band Tenets”….

This, the 12th year of the “ME” [aka Modern Era] of the Tiger Bands, is particularly notable as we have unusual strengths and experience with our Elder Scholars, a superior Fledgling Class, and incredible “Middle Children.” Only rarely does this confluence of strengths come together, and what a delight is this “crop” of Band Scholars.

Our fall has been unusually busy – but great, as we have been involved in eighteen (18) performance events and activities. In all, the Band Scholars have been a focal point of excellence, excitement and enthusiasm for our entire campus community. Fall performances and events have included: our annual Tiger Band Leadership Event & Barbecue; two community events featuring “Humble but Homey” – the Festival of the Horse Parade & the Fire Prevention Week Parade; the Homecoming Kick-Off Rally; two basketball tournaments – the Lady Tigers Habitat for Humanity Classic and the Jim Reid Classic; two NAIA Football Play-Off Games – including Turkey Bowl VI – plus several other campus performances at Toyota Stadium and the John L. Hill Chapel.

On, November 22nd we celebrated the 160th Anniversary of Bands at Georgetown College . This very special evening started with the “Have Supper with the Band” event, coordinated by our Grrr… PMT [aka Project Management Team] of Kelly Kays, Tyler Howard, Jon Myers and Lucas Gravitt. This delightful supper was attended by in excess of 200 current Band Scholars, Band Families and Friends of our Tiger Bands. Speakers for the evening included Gem Band Alumni Chad Acklin, Richard Jackson and Jesse Gabbard. The featured speaker was Tom Hales [father of Gem Alumnus Emily Hales Bennett]. A good time was had by all. Following the dinner the Tiger Symphonic Band presented a concert including works by Verdi, Sousa, Curnow & Guilmant. Featured student soloist was sophomore, Jon Myers – trombone, on the Morceau Symphonique.

As we look towards the spring semester we anticipate many great FTGPB & Symphonic Band performances both on and off-campus. A highlight of the spring semester shall be an extended Grrr… Excursion, as we continue our highly successful “Tiger Bands on the Road” series which shall take us to Jackson, TN & Kansas City, MO. Additionally, six of our Band Scholars have been selected to participate in the prestigious 2005 Kentucky Intercollegiate Band. Stephanie Goodrich – B-flat clarinet, Ken Marotte – mallets, Jon Myers – trombone, Adam Nance – tuba, Shana Noe – bass clarinet and Nora Whitehead – bass clarinet shall represent our Tiger Bands and Georgetown College in this 105-member honor ensemble, representative of the finest collegiate band members from across the Commonwealth. The KIB shall rehearse and perform at the 2005 KMEA In-Service Convention in Louisville, and this year shall be under the baton of the renowned, Dr. Frank Wickes, Director of Bands at LSU. We shall round out the spring semester with our annual concert of the Tiger Symphonic Band which shall take place on Thursday, April 28th at 8:00 PM in the John L. Hill Chapel featuring Darron McNutt as the piano soloist on Gershwin’s class – The Rhapsody in Blue.

On behalf of the Tiger Bands collectively and myself personally – I would like to thank all of our many Band Friends for your continued support for the Band Scholars and Bands at Georgetown College . To keep up with our performances, events and activities – please go to our Tiger Band Web at….. http://tigerbands.georgetowncollege.edu

Dr. Peter J. LaRue

Student Focus

“Get Your Grrr…On” Recording Project

The GYGO CD has brought unparalleled excitement to our Tiger Bands, and countless hundreds are now listening to thirty-one Grrr…classics in their offices, in their cars, in their homes – or wherever they may find themselves. Distribution at the Book Store, the East Campus Spirit Shop and On-Line has been great – and we would like to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of GYGO, and encourage those who have not – to please do so. All proceeds directly and materially benefit the Band Scholars and our Tiger Bands. Order information may be found at … http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/larue/bands/GYGO%20-%20Main.htm

Update on the Choirs

In the spring Chorale toured Florida, with concerts en route in Stanford, KY, and Eatonton, GA; and in Bradenton, Orlando and Gainesville, FL. Other appearances included Lexington Avenue Baptist Church (Danville), Burgin Baptist Church and Highland Baptist Church (Louisville). On April 15 the Chorale and Chamber Singers presented “The Music of Taxation and Other Passions,” a whimsical program they also gave at Grant County High School.

On November 9 Chorale performed a program titled, “Messengers Human and Divine.” It included a section of music from the Underground Railroad era, with narration and background information provided by Underground Railroad Research Institute director Alicestyne Turley-Adams. Other performances included Family Weekend on September 19, two services November 14 at Calvary Baptist Church (Lexington), and an appearance November 15 at the Georgetown College-sponsored banquet for associational Directors of Mission as part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Louisville. The Chorale and Concert Choir joined other music ensembles in the annual Lessons and Carols Chapel on December 7.

The Concert Choir gave two performances—December 5 and 7—of its Christmas concert that included the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah accompanied by a small orchestra and harpsichord. The concerts took place in the lobby of the Ensor Learning Resource Center, which proved to be both a visual and acoustical delight.

What lies ahead? The Chorale will sing at Georgetown Baptist Church on January 30, and Midway Baptist on April 24. This year’s Spring Tour to western Kentucky will include First Baptist, Madisonville (Feb. 23), First Baptist, Paducah (Feb. 24), First Baptist, Henderson (Feb. 25), Second Baptist, Hopkinsville (Feb. 26), First Baptist, Hopkinsville (Feb. 27, morning), Glasgow Musicale (Feb. 27, 4:00 p.m.), and First Baptist, Bowling Green (Feb. 27, evening). The Home Concert will be March 1. Chorale will undertake another tour March 11-14 in conjunction with the Underground Railroad Research Institute, taking “Music of the Underground Railroad” to historic sites in Ohio, upstate New York, and Ontario. Their final concert of the year will be April 21.

The Concert Choir will perform Duruflé’s Requiem on May 1 at First Christian Church, Georgetown, with a chamber orchestra. Please come to any and all these events that you can, and hear what is happening in the choral program at Georgetown College!

Dr. John W. Campbell

Handbell Highlights

The Georgetown College Handbell Ensemble had a wonderful fall semester. Directed by Kimberly Landrum (formerly Venhuizen), the ensemble participated in a concert with the Chapel Brass as well as the college’s Lessons and Carols service. The ensemble included Melissa Langley (Jr.), Joanna Lile (Sr.), Elizabeth Steger (So.), and Thomas Steuart (Fr.). A retreat was held on Saturday, October 9th to allow the ensemble members to work on technique and unity and to begin learning the bulk of the semester’s repertoire. The players worked tremendously hard and experienced a very successful semester.

Chapel Brass

This Fall Chapel Brass explored the literature for brass quartet on its annual Fall concert with the Handbell ensemble. The group appeared with the Chorale, Concert Choir, and the Hymn Howlers on the Festival of Lessons and Carols, and two members of the group assisted the Concert Choir on its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, playing the trumpet parts.

Delta Omicron

Delta Omicron members have been meeting regularly since September. They are working hard to have a larger impact on the Georgetown Campus and community. A fundraiser project that was completed before Christmas was “Singing Christmas Cards.” These were sold outside the cafeteria prior to Thanksgiving and were personally delivered to the recipients. Delta Omicron members sang “live” Christmas carols as well as delivering a personal message. For a first-time effort, we felt it was a success and hope to try it again in the future. Also, several of the members had a Christmas social at the home of the chapter advisor, Nina Belle Durr, who is an alumnae of the Georgetown chapter as well as former province president. Delta Omicron will be inviting eligible students to join our fraternity during the spring semester. We would also welcome news from other alums in the area!

C-MENC News

The Collegiate chapter of the Music Educators National Conference (C-MENC) is going well, with eight members, plus Dr. Campbell as advisor. Mary Elizabeth Barrington is serving a second term as President. Chapter activities included attending a performance of The King’s Singers at the Singletary Center in Lexington , and assembling and distributing Survival Kits at the start of final exams. Plans for the spring include sponsoring C-MENC members in the All-Collegiate Choir and/or Inter-Collegiate Band, or sponsoring members who are attending KMEA; and again doing Survival Kits.

Mary Elizabeth Barrington, a junior at Georgetown College, has been involved in music for the majority of her life. Beginning at a young age, she began singing at various churches and was instructed and accompanied by her mother. At the age of eight, she began taking piano lessons and grew fond of classical music. Around this same time, Mary Elizabeth began understanding and appreciating music even more. After joining the Danville Children’s Choir, she traveled with them and was selected to sing a solo at a music convention at Disney World. By middle school, she started listening to recordings of Sandi Patti and was soon performing her songs.

By high school, Mary Elizabeth was singing at many events. During the Presidential election of 2000, she sang at several political rallies and debates and was even asked to open for Ricky Skaggs at the Dick Cheney rally at Centre College. Also around this time, she had the opportunity to sing at the North American Mission Board Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. These were both great ways for Mary Elizabeth to gain exposure and confidence in performing.

During her senior year at Mercer County High School, Mary Elizabeth participated in the State Junior Miss Pageant, which was held at the Singletary Center in Lexington. During the pageant, she won the talent award by singing O Mio Babbino Caro and placed top five out of 40-45 participants. Through this pageant, she received a scholarship that would be the first of many scholarships going toward Georgetown College.

The summer before attending Georgetown College, Mary Elizabeth received numerous scholarships for both academics (Valedictorian at MCHS 2002) and music. Some of these include the Trustee’s Scholarship, a music scholarship, and a Pastor’s Christian Leadership Scholarship. These were just the beginning of a wonderful experience at Georgetown.

During her freshman year, Mary Elizabeth pledged Kappa Delta and became active in the Chorale and Concert Choir. Also as a freshman, she was chosen to represent Knight Hall in the annual Belle of the Blue Pageant. While she didn’t win this year, she was selected to represent the men of Lambda Chi Alpha her sophomore year and won the pageant. Since winning, she will now participate in the Mountain Laurel Festival Pageant this summer.

As a junior, Mary Elizabeth in still active in Chorale and Concert Choir and is the two-year president of CMENC, two-year participant in All Collegiate Choir, three-year member of Delta Omicron, and three-year member of Harper Gatton. She is also a new President’s Ambassador and will travel with them to Germany this Spring Break. Just recently, Mary Elizabeth was excited to be asked by President Crouch to travel with him to Japan to sing at the World’s Fair. She will be leaving for this event this May along with Governor Collins and two other students.

Faculty Focus

H. M. Lewis (1989) focused much of his musical activities this Fall on his involvement with the Immanuel Baptist Church orchestra, which he conducts. In December, the group accompanied the Praise and Worship Choir in its annual Christmas presentation “Follow the Star,” opening the program with the Farandole from Georges Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2. The thirty-four member group continues to grow and to present the best of instrumental music for worship as part of Immanuel Baptist Church ’s Music Ministry. As many of you know, Dr. Lewis has been an active member of the International Trumpet Guild since its inception, and for the past few years he has shared his knowledge of the history of the trumpet and the cornet with trumpet players in this country and around the world as the head of ITG’s “Answerman” program. Trumpeters can email the ITG website with questions about the history of the instrument, medical problems, etc., and he will either answer the questions himself (historical), or refer them to his team of experts. This year he fielded questions from all over the U.S. and Canada and from such diverse countries as Turkey , Belgium , Russia , and Germany . He continues to serve on the editorial board of the ITG Journal, and as a frequent reviewer of CDs for that publication. This past November, he presented a faculty lecture recital, “How the Cornet became a Trumpet—the Music and Instruments of a Transitional Period in American Music: 1880-1930” on campus, with the able assistance of Ms. Glenna Metcalfe on piano and Wayne Collier on Cornet. This program has been presented twice for national conferences of the International Trumpet Guild, and featured many of the antique cornets and trumpets from Dr. Lewis’ collection.

Sonny Burnette (1990) directed a flute choir reading session at the National Flute Association convention held at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville during August. The session included several of his own compositions. Burnette has been commissioned by the Wyndsong Flute Quartet, a professional quartet in the metro Washington, D.C. area, to compose a work for that ensemble. Burnette’s composition Kaleidoscope for carillon was premiered at Ball State University’s Shafer Tower in October by John Gouwens, visiting lecturer in carillon. The West Michigan Flute Association included Burnette’s George Washington’s Teeth, a march for flute choir and percussionist, on its 2004 concert season CD. Fanfare XXV: The Silver Jublilation opens the “Coming of Age” CD produced in 2004 by The Atlanta Music Academy Flute Choir. Flutist Dr. Lisa McArthur recorded his A Place Far Away, for flute and piano, on a CD released this past fall. Stained Glass Images is scheduled to be performed by the Emporia State University flute choir at the Kansas Music Educators Association convention in February. Burnette performed on saxophone and clarinet in the pit orchestra for Damn Yankees at the Lexington Opera House in November. Recently, he became organist at Hope Lutheran Church in Frankfort, and he continues to perform with the Pendulum Orchestra in Louisville.

Peter LaRue (1993), during the summer of 2004, was again kept busy conducting the Central Kentucky Concert Band as they gave Summer Pops Concerts at the Royal Springs Park , the Scott County Fairgrounds, the UK Arboretum and the Clark County Court House. Additionally, as Director of Summer Programs & Camps at Georgetown College he was responsible for camps that brought approximately 7000 campers and guests to campus. This fall in addition to his work and efforts for the Tiger Bands, he began his eleventh season as Music Director and Conductor of the Central Kentucky Concert Band with 2004-2005 concerts of “Back to the Future” [Transylvania – December 5th], “Of Celts & Kilts” [Transylvania University – February 27th] and “A Gershwin Gala” [Lexington Opera House, May 1st]. Also during the fall, LaRue served as music adjudicator at the Thorobred Classic [ Cynthiana , KY ], the South Spencer Invitational [ Rockport , IN ] and the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival [Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis , MO ]. He played his beloved trombone with Paragon Music, the Bluegrass Brass Trio and at several local churches. A special opportunity this fall enabled Dr. LaRue to participate in the new “Dual-Credit” program – a cooperative venture between Georgetown College and the Scott County Schools, as he taught “Music for the Masses” to upper level high school students.

Stephen Tilford (1999) In the spring of 2004, Stephen Tilford performed piano recital for the Riverside Arts Festival in Bainbridge, GA and perform a recital for Kentucky Christian College in Grayson KY. In addition, Tilford performed a recital for First Baptist Church in Somerset, KY. In the fall of 2004, Tilford accompanied the first concert of the Scott County Children’s Chorus, a newly formed organization in Georgetown. In the spring of 2005, Tilford will perform on the music faculty showcase recital and a solo recital for the Sigma Alpha Iota chapter in Lexington, KY. On March 6, 2005 at 3 pm Tilford will perform a Faculty recital in Hill Chapel at Georgetown College. As an active member of the Music Teacher’s National Association and the National Federation of Music Clubs, Tilford is frequently invited to adjudicate piano festivals and to perform recitals for various organizations. Currently, Tilford serves as the Organist/Choir Director for First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown.

Director of Choral Activities John W. Campbell (2001) has stayed busy with the Chorale and Concert Choir, as well as voice, conducting and church music classes. As College/University Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Kentucky chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, he is the coordinator for the All-Collegiate Choir that performs at KMEA. He rehearsed the District 7-11 SSA All-State Choir this January, also in preparation for KMEA, and is College/University Representative for District 7-11. In addition to serving Beaumont Presbyterian Church in Lexington as Director of Music, he was named Director of the Richmond Choral Society in Fall 2004. He attended the national conference of The Hymn Society in July. Dr. Campbell arranged for the singing of the National Anthem at all the home football games, and at the men’s and women’s basketball home games. (If you’d like to sing, please contact him!)

Kim Venhuizen Landrum (2004) spent a busy first semester at Georgetown College. On September 11th she presented a chamber recital in the Singletary Center for the Arts including the music of Vivaldi, Pergolesi, Schubert, Respighi, Chausson, Stametz and Bernstein. She also began the semester singing a spiritual at the opening convocation of the college. Mrs. Landrum later joined up with Marilyn Fightmaster and Ann Dalzell in a musical theater presentation at Calvary Baptist Church in October for the Woman’s Association of Georgetown College. She has been very busy enjoying her teaching schedule and continues the final work on her doctorate. She was married to James Landrum (Specialist, US Army) on December 18, 2004. He joins the 25th regiment at Schofield Barracks,Oahu as a percussionist in May. Mrs. Landrum hopes to continue her work on her doctoral document on Vocal Therapy this spring as well as presenting an all Brahms recital with pianist Lucien Stark.

Staying in Touch

George Samuel (Sam) Stack ‘85 is currently the Associate Pastor of Music and Education at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Waycross , GA. Mr. Stack also holds a Master of Church Music from Southern Seminary.

Leah Inger ‘99, is pursuing a Graduate Performance Diploma at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore , MD. She also holds a M.S. in Music Education from Towson University in Towson , MD. In addition to school, Leah works for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In this position she helps coordinate the Midweek Education Concerts attended by school groups. Leah sang in the premier of the opera “Super Double Lite” at Symphony Space in New York City earlier last year. Leah can be reached at leahinger@hotmail.com.

Eric Thomas and Angela Suzanne Eaton ‘98 were married in Midway, KY on February 14. The couple resides in Orlando , FL.

Deanna Green ‘00, graduated from the University of Florida Medical School in May 2004 and is doing her residency at the Johns Hopkins University Medical School in Baltimore , MD. She plans on specializing in pediatric hematology and oncology

Josh and Lela Cocanougher McFarland ‘01, are the new parents of a beautiful baby girl. They have named their daughter Jovey Kay McFarland. She was born November 28, 2004. The McFarlands can be reached at joshandlela@insightbb.com.

Bob Brockelsby and Leslie Conver ‘03, were married in Louisville on June 19, 2004. Leslie is now a graduate student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville , KY.

Jennifer Wade ‘03 and Joseph Gullion were married in Georgetown in June 2003. Jennifer is currently teaching 4th grade in Boone County .

Timothy (Tim) Finley “04 is attending graduate school at the University of Kentucky School of Pharmacy.

Recently, Jonathan Creech ’96 formed and directed a community jazz band for CETA’s 3rd annual Autumn ArtsFest. CETA is a Northern Ky. Arts Council, for which Jonathan is an active board member (www.cetaarts.org). Jon completed his Master of Music Education degree at University of Kentucky in December 2004.

Alums, send us your news (and photos)!

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If you would like to be added to our Nunnelley Notes newsletter mailing list, please contact the Music Office via e-mail or telephone: 502-863-8100.

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